DeSoto volunteers fill breach to fill needy's hunger

Helping hands have been feeding hungry mouths across DeSoto County since May — and the effort continues.

The Mobile Food Pantry will hold a third monthly distribution to prescreened members of the public on July 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Landers Center in Southaven, with volunteers arriving at 3:30 to get to work.

For June, the Mobile Food Pantry distributed 4,184 meals to DeSoto County residents, said Anna Dickerson, director of Hernando-based Volunteer Northwest Mississippi, a program of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.

Meanwhile, she said, "we had our second distribution on June 27 and it was a sight worth seeing — a collaboration of caring businesses and individuals throughout DeSoto County."

Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto stepped up with a little less than a month's notice and agreed to sponsor the June event, while the Landers Center agreed to host the event in its parking lot at no cost again, Dickerson said.

"Walgreens donated cases of water and brought along 20 volunteers to assist with the distribution," she said. Also contributing volunteers were Trustmark Bank and Getwell Road United Methodist Church.

"Heartland Hands food pantry not only ran the pre-screening for the event but many of their volunteers were out there on distribution day working hard and handing out fresh produce," Dickerson said.

Other participants included Mid-South Food Bank and DeSoto County Social Services Coalition.

"Volunteers of all ages participated in the event and were able to see the impact they were having on the community," she said.

In May, about 8,300 pounds of food were distributed among 632 DeSoto County individuals: 290 adults, 286 children and 56 seniors, Dickerson said.

"A total of 41 people worked more than 133 volunteer hours," she said.

For the July 31 distribution, there again will be pre-screening "but it will be expanded so that more people can be screened before they arrive," Dickerson said. "That way, we can save time and move the lines along faster."

The Mobile Food Pantry is open to all residents of DeSoto County who qualify for SNAP benefits (food stamps), Home Energy Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, public housing, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or who are willing to complete and sign a self-declaration of income statement showing total household income is below the Mississippi household eligibility scale. Photo identification or other proof of residency is required.

There's more good volunteer news, with United Way agreeing to sponsor the Mobile Food Pantry in DeSoto County for the next year to help feed the need here, Dickerson said.

"More community partners and volunteers are needed and always welcome," she said.

For more information or to volunteer for the next food distribution, call Dickerson at (662) 449-5002, email volunteer@cfnm.org or go online at volunteernwms.org.